I am from Utah and have been around Mormons my whole life. I do understand the differences between the beliefs of Mormons and Christians. What I don't understand is if two different religion's believe in Christ shouldn't they all be called christians. Any thoughts?
2006-12-02 18:59:15 · 20 answers · asked by Beckaboo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a "Mormon" (this is ONLY a nickname, correctly we are LDS), I can tell you that we ARE Christians. Thus the real name of our faith which is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." We use the King James Version of the Bible. We have 13 Articles of Faith which tell you exactly what we believe:
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
---Joseph Smith
The reason people don't believe that we are Christian is because they do not realize that we use the Bible. The Book of Mormon is a COMPANION to the Bible, NOT an addition to it. It is a second testiment of Jesus Christ and that he was and is our Savior. Also, polygamy is illegal and as #12 states above, we abide by the law and the people who practice this are NOT of the one and only Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Check out the links below for more information.
2006-12-02 19:44:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As far as I know, they are exactly the same as other Christians except that they also have the Book of Mormon. Because of that, a lot of people think they are nuts and refuse to call them 'real' Christians. If the Book of Mormon isn't true then I'd understand why some Christians may say they are worshiping the devil. If it's a lie, it's from the devil so they could not be Christian. No where that I know of do they ever go against the Bible, they just believe there is a little more to the story. I still believe they are Christians since they sure don't believe they are worshiping the devil!
2006-12-02 19:27:39 · answer #2 · answered by Pico 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a Mormon, and I believe in Jesus Christ, so that also makes me a Christian, however, the Christians want to say that unless you are born again, you are not Christian. I Believe in God and Jesus Christ and they are Both in my life, I know that Jesus died so that all of mankind can go back to live with God again some day. I know that Jesus was resurrected on the 3rd day, so that man may also live again. So if that is not being a Christian, then I don't know what is. We don't worship Joseph Smith as some people believe, he was the founder of the restored Church. We believe in the Bible, and that it is the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly, Men in translating can make mistakes. We study the King James version of the Bible and we also believe that the Book of Mormon is another testimony of God and Jesus Christ.
We do NOT practice polygamy as people tend to believe, that was taken out of the church a long time ago, because it is against the laws of the land.
The Mormon Church is no more a cult than the Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterian, Jehovah Witness, etc.
2006-12-02 19:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by nevada nomad 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i think the best way to consider it would be to compare both groups beliefs and see if they match up or are they based on completely different premises?
my own personal view is that Mormons are not Christians. The bible says that believing that Christ existed doesnt make you a christian - demons do that and shudder at the thought - IE demons are not Christians either.
before anyone starts accusing me of 'bashing' i don't have a problem with people who say they are Mormons - what i do have a problem with is Mormonism strives to be seen as just another christian denomination when they have their own book which they hold ahead of the bible. Also the thorny issue of polygamy that some disown and some don't but their original leaders encouraged.
Also how close is today's Mormon beliefs to that of their founders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young? and where did those folks get their teachings from?
2006-12-02 19:10:04 · answer #4 · answered by Aslan 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mormons are Christians. The reason why they are often not called such is because they have added a book on to the Bible and because they practice other things such as no caffeine and in some cases polygamy. Basically because they're different.
2006-12-02 19:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by Liz M 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Mormons are christians, by their own definition.
By Christian definitions they are Christians too, but many bigots deny them this because they have additional stories about Jesus in America.
Mormons are great people for the most part. I just wish they would accept their gays and lesbians-something that definitely makes them Christians! hehehe
2006-12-02 19:03:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No one can tell you why we aren't because we are...that would be like me saying "christians" really aren't because they don't beleive in Christ the same way I do.
Any person who follows the teachings of Christ is a Christian and that's that. Anyone else who says different is just ignorant.
2006-12-04 05:52:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Beck -
Being labelled as and grouped in with Christians isn't that great to start with. To be honest, it would be a grave disservice to LDS theology to be lumped in with mainstream Christianity. While I disagree with much of LDS practice, LDS theology is infinitely more interesting than anything you'll come across in general Christianity (with perhaps the exception of the Eastern Orthodox).
Take care,
Laz
2006-12-02 19:17:39 · answer #8 · answered by The Man Comes Around 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are Christians.
My brother is a Mormon, my grandmother is a fundie Southern Baptist (not that they are all fundies, but she is).
Even by her own definition of salvation, he's good to go. Yet, she insists on saying he's not.
That's OK though, because other denominations claim that she'll be going to hell. Denominational fighting seems to be a time-honored tradition of Christianity.
2006-12-02 19:03:12 · answer #9 · answered by Snark 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ssome Mormons are Christians. They actually love Jesus and serve Him.
I Cr 13;8a
12-2-6
2006-12-02 19:16:13 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋